The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association’s Board of Directors named their slate of officers in the January meeting.
Jay Dailey was re-elected President for a fourth consecutive term. Cameron Mahlum was named Vice-President, Scott Rake as Treasurer and Mary Malkerson, Secretary.
In other MTA news, the association is offering a $10,000 bonus to the winner of the 2020 MTA Stallion Auction Stakes if the season was purchased during the 2016 MTA Stallion Auction
Additionally, in cooperation with Canterbury Park, the MTA Sales Graduate Stakes will offer eligible 2015 two year olds the opportunity to run in this five furlong, $40,000 stakes race in July this season. The purse is the equivalent of overnight stakes run at the track.
YEARLING SALE DATE ANNOUNCED; VENUE CHANGED
The 2016 MTA yearling sale is scheduled for August 22 and is moving back to Canterbury Park after two years at the Scott County Fairgrounds. The MTA Board announced several twists to the sale to try and make consigning more appealing to breeders.
The breeder of every MN-bred consigned to the MTA Yearling Sale that sells to a new owner during the auction will receive a Breeder Bonus when the MTA Sales Grad breaks its maiden in a Maiden Special Weight or Allowance race. The bonus will be paid to the breeder within 30 days of the horse breaking its maiden at Canterbury Park.
- Minnesota Conceived and Foaled MTA Sale Grads will receive a $2,000 bonus.
- Minnesota-bred MTA Sale Grads will receive a $1,000 bonus.
The MTA Board is offering this bonus to breeders as an added incentive to bring top-quality, competitive Minnesota conceived and foaled, as well as Minnesota-bred yearlings to their annual sale.
“While purses have increased, raising awards to breeders is a little more difficult,” said Board President Jay Dailey. “The past couple of years have seen nice bumps in awards to breeders and, with these bonuses, we’re looking to keep that momentum going while new sources of income to the Breeders’ Fund are cultivated.”
Currently the Breeders’ Fund is funded by a 1% levy on the handle at Minnesota racetracks. Without additional funding sources, breeders awards could stagnate.
